Retinoblastoma - Childhood: Symptoms and Signs

Approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 09/2023

ON THIS PAGE: You will find out more about the changes and medical problems that can be a sign of retinoblastoma. Use the menu to see other pages.

What are the symptoms and signs of retinoblastoma?

Children with retinoblastoma often experience one or more of the following symptoms or signs. Symptoms are changes that you can feel in your body. Signs are changes in something measured, like taking your blood pressure or doing a lab test. Together, symptoms and signs can help describe a medical problem. Sometimes, children with retinoblastoma do not have any of the symptoms and signs described below. Or, the cause of a symptom or sign may be a medical condition that is not cancer. Sometimes, a doctor finds retinoblastoma during a routine well-baby examination. Most often, however, parents notice symptoms or signs such as:

  • A pupil that looks white, instead of the normal black

  • A crossed eye, which is an eye looking either toward the ear or toward the nose

  • Poor vision

  • A red, painful-looking eye

  • An enlarged pupil

  • Different-colored irises

If you are concerned about any changes you notice, please talk with your child’s doctor. They will try to understand what is causing your child’s symptom(s). They may do an exam and order tests to understand the cause of the problem, which is called a diagnosis.

If cancer is diagnosed, relieving symptoms remains an important part of your child’s cancer care and treatment. Managing symptoms may also be called "palliative and supportive care," which is not the same as hospice care given at the end of life. This type of care focuses on managing symptoms and supporting people who face serious illnesses, such as cancer. You can receive palliative and supportive care at any time during cancer treatment. Learn more in this guide’s section on Coping with Treatment.

Be sure to talk with your child's health care team about the symptoms your child experiences, including any new symptoms or a change in symptoms.

The next section in this guide is Diagnosis. It explains what tests may be needed to learn more about the cause of the symptoms. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.